Can-capping or disk-feeding machine



C. H. BIRCH.

CANCAPPING 0R DISK FEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14.19I6.

1,887,461. PaIenIed Aug. 16, 1921.

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v ,s .5.- 3 Ivenar I MEW cha/@Nimah i f www Mdm APPLICATION FILED MAR. I4., 1916.

Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

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17h/alza... f- 1f 11m@ ferm ttorney C. H. BIRCH.

CAN CAPPING on DISK FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAH. 14 1916.

Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

` 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

d Inventor O/Larwlrlz fvwm Manny ITE. E.

MIX/e616 i l f 22W@ v 9% ffm/w C. H. BIRCH.

` CAN CAPPING OR DISK FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.14,1916.

1,887,461. Patented Aug. 16,1921.

c. H. BIRCH'. CAN GAPPING 0B DISK FEEDINGMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14| 1916.

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c. H. BIRCH.

CAN CAPPING 0R DISK FEEDING MACHINE.

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wu su w wm E H, W um 2 l, ,//vm/M. G vw u mw -I n w A m APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 19.16. 1,387,461.

Y c. H. BIRCH. `CAN CAPPING 0H DISK 4FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.14I9I6.

Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

.Bi rdl M 8 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

m i m C. H. BIRCH.

GAN CAPPING 0R DISK FEEDLNG MAcHrNE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14,1916. 1,387,461.

Patented Aug. 16,1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8- Mermoz" Charles Hz'im/L My invention line 4 4 of Fig. 3.'

nir-rn-"STTS PTENT 0 FFC. i i

yennemis n. sinon, oreirioiieo,` iLLiNois.

YCAN-cnrriizrci on," 'ziiisK-FEDING.. MACHINE@ To all whom Il may concern.'

Be it knownjthat l5 GI-IARLEs H.

relates te mechanism ffor automatically feeding and placing in `position small disks or other objects formed of any material such foreXample, asv the cap or closure for metal cans-employed foriherinetically sealing'and'preserving fruit, vegetables and otherk substances.

The object of my invention fis to provide a simple, accurate and reliable device ofthe kind described adaptedy to receive the :can

caps or other articles-in any quantitiesnand automaticallyv placing the same one by one in position upon` the filled cans, containers or other article orthing. Y l

To this end my Vinvention consists yin the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shownand described4 and more claims.. Y

1n the accompanying'drawings wherein particularly pointedl out in lthe like or similar reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

vice. o l

Fig. 2 isV a central vertical lsection taken substantially on line 2=f--2 of Fig; 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken sub- Vy .stantially on lineff-r-ofF ig. 2.

Fig. Llis a section talreii substantially'on Figo is a view showing the-.method of finally placing the caps inV position upon the cans.

Fig. G is a transversesection taken subV` stantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 7.`

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary 'central vertical section of my device taken substantially on line -Z on Fig. G.` Y

' Figs. 8 and 9 are enlargedl sectional details similar to corresponding' portions 'of Fig. 'Y showing a portion of the `mechanism for separating nested caps and for dispos;H ing of caps reaching this chine wrong side up.

Fig. 10 is section taken' substantially on line 10-10of Fig," 2',4 l e, l

.BiRoHr a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinoisyhave invented certain new anduse- VVful improvements in Can-Capping or Disky Feeding Machined ofwhich the followingV is a description.

vable side of the feed box.

Figure r1 isa4 front elevationv ofv` my de-` portion of the *maf .Specification of Letters Iratent; `Patented Aug, 16, 1921., l Application 1ed` March 14,1916. Serial No'.' `84-,t)39.

.I-'Fig 11 is an enlarged `-front elevation of the feed'boX. y A

` Fig. 12 is a partial section Fig. 13 is a side elevation of as s hown'in Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is a detail ofthe feeding disk.V Fig. 15- isa sectional detail the feed bex .,Figlk 16k is a side elevation of a modified formof my device. i

Fig.z17 is a front elevation of the front-V .Y yportion only of my device as seen from line 17%17 of Fig. 16.

Fig.` 18V i's-aV section taken substantially .on line 18%18 of Fig. 16.

Fig., 19 is a section Vtaken sub'stantiallylon line 19-19 'ofv Fig. 16. V

e y similarV to Fig.

2 showing 'the feed valve open.

of themov- Y lfjn the forni shown in the drawings my il device comprisesv ansuitable: containei1 l adapted to receive any desired qiiant'ity'of' thel articles, in the forni shown, can lcaps which it is desired to place in position upon 1 cans. A partition 1 (see Fig. 2)- extends across the lower part of the containerghaving an opening 12 (Figi 10) therethrough for permitting aportion of the caps in the container to passiiito the chamber 2; (Fig. 42)` :sor

member 4 (see Figs. 2, 12, 13 and 14) is positionedin one side of the feed box while4 a movable side orpartition 5 forms .the Op-Vi:v posit'eside, the movable side 5`is preferably slightly curved at itsy lower end to direct. Y.. the caps entering thev feed boX against the membery 4 which inthe preferred construcktion is slightly inclined as shown andprovided with a plurality of apertures (5 6r each adapted Ato .receive'acap so `that when the member' lis rotatedw'the walls of the apertures Gwillsuccessively engage the caps f Vpositionedin thrill-eed'` beizaiid carry them. upward unt-il they fall by gravity through the opening 1415 at lthe top of the stationary wall 14e e .y e*

Any ysuitable means may bey provided to Vcontrolythe `escape. of the caps from e the chamberf 2 into the feed boX.` As shown a ,Valve 8 is pivotally mounted at the discharge l opening 2 so that when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 2 the caps are retained in the chamber 2. When however the number of caps betwe-en the member 4 and movable side 5 is sufliciently reduced 'to require replenishing the lower end of ythe partition 5 moves inward under the pressure of the spring 5 (see Figs. 11, 13and15) while the upper end 52 moves the arm 7 outward until its lower edge is engaged by the pin 13 projecting from the sprocket wheel .15 or other rotatable portion of my device.

When this occurs the arm 7 is raised at each rotation of the sprocket wheel thus raising the outer end of the lever 9 to which the arm 7 is attached as at 10 and swinging the lower side of the valve 8 which is pivoted at its upper edge as at 11 to the frame work of my device, outward and permitting a fresh supply of caps to enter the feed box. In the preferred construction shown in Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 the spring 5 is rigidly secured to a block 53 which is in turn pivotally attached to the movable side 5 as at 54 and a projecting pin' 55 is provided upon the block 53 with its free end extendinginto the path of a spring 16 attached to the sprocket wheel 15 and extending radially therefrom so that at each rotation ofthe sprocket wheel 15 the lower edge of the movable side 5 is resiliently forced toward the stationary wall 14 of the feed box. As

soon as a suflicienteuantity of the capshave entered the feed box the lower' portion of the'movable side 5 is forced outward slightly and held in its outward position by their pressure or weight thus retracting the part 52 from the arm 7 and permitting the arm to swing inward by gravity out of the path ofthe stud 13 and moving the valve 8 to close the opening 2 and prevent a further escape of the caps from the chamber 2.

Any suitable means may be provided for gradually moving the caps in the chamber 2 toward the discharge opening 2. As shown a vertical shaft 17 is provided substantially central to the chamber 2 and container 1 and rotatably supported by a suitable bearing 18 or other convenient means (see Fig. 2) rigidly mounted upon the frame of my device. A collar 19 is rigidly secured to the shaft 17 immediately above the upper end of the bearing 18 with suitable balls 19 or other anti-friction mechanism interposed between the faces of the col-` as the bottom or floor of the chamber 2 so Y that any caps entering the chamber 2 will rest directly upon the upper surface'of the disk 23. ldlhen the shaft 17 is rotated in the direction indicated in Fig. 10 the caps of the disk, the caps upon-reaching this wall gradually move outwardr into the discharge opening 2 so that as soonas the valve 8 is opened the caps will immediately fall `in-` to the feed box.

A Vmember 24 is also rigidly mounted upon the shaft 17 immediately below the disk 23 (see Figs. 2, 6, 7, vand 12).theform of this member is preferably 'frustoconical and a plurality of ribsv or *lugs 24 are provided upon its inclined surface suitably spaced from each other to receive a'can cap betweenL them so that when the caps escape `through the opening 14 in the wall 14 of the feed 'box they will fall upon or into a stationaryannular member 45 positioned at the lower edge of the member 24 and rigidly secured tothe frame of my device, with the upper edge of each cap resting against the member 24. The `several, parts are prefer-- ably so constructed and arranged that as the member 24 continues to rotate the can caps resting jointly upon the annular member 45 and member 24 will each become positioned in one of the spaces between the lugs 24 and rest on itsy edge upon the annular member 45 and will finally reach a position flat against the face of the member 24. v f i In the preferred construction a casing 42 is rigidly secured tothe frame of my machine as shown in` Fig. 7 and the annular i the casing is positioned substantially in the plane of the surface of the annular member 45 upon which the caps normally roll at this point so that when the can caps reach the opening 452 they will be supported only by the edge of the part 42 of thecasing 42. The vpart 42 is so formed and positioned that if a single can cap vis resting with its convex side-outward, that is with its concave side against the inclined surface of the member 24 it will pass between the member 24 and part 42 as shown in Fig. 8, if however, av plurality of nestedvcan caps arrive in'this position a single cap adjacent the member 24 only can escape while the remainder will slide into the casing 42 or if too firmly attached to each other they will pass across the interruption in the annular member 45 and continue to pass around the Y member 45 until they break after which the cap Vnext adjacent the member 24 will escape as described, if however, a cap arrives at the interruption with the convex side adjacentv the member 24 it will immediately pass into the casing 42 `as shown in1Fig. 9.

Any suitable means may be provided to remove the caps from the casing 42. As:

versely of the casing with a sheave 32 rigidly Y :mountedthereon Apluralityof radial finygers 34, 35, .36and 37 arrangediin pairs ask shown areslidablymounted in suitable bearings fin fthe hub and rim respectively of the sheave 32 so that they will slide longitudinally by gravity and continuously :sweep the .bottom surface of the casingr42and en-y gage any can caps positioned in lthe casing and carry them up and overth'e top of the `sheave and deliver .them upon thefinclined plate 43 extendingfrom the surface ofthe sheave to a'point adjacent the upper'edge of .the member 24. Any suitable means maybe provided for `connecting the fingers of each vpair so that they will operate together in the easing. As shown a transverse .tie 38,. 39, 40 l and 41is provided for theY respective pairs of lingers each extending through a suitable opening in thewebof thesheave and rigidly `secured in position upon the fingers. In the preferred construction an angular` table 44 .-is' provided within and slightly belowythe upper edge vof the member 24 so thateach can cap dischargedy from the casing 42 will rest uponithe upper, edge of the member 24 with one edge inclined downward and:v resting upon the table 44 which graduallydecreases in width and is providedwith van upward liange 44 at its vinner edge 'adapted to gradually force thecapsresting jointly upon the table 44and member 24 outwardy until they over-balance and slide into one of the pockets on the member 24between the lugs 24. It will be observed that ythis operation turns each cap overduringits passage through the casing 42 so` that` if originally it was posi-k tioned with its convex side against the member 24 when it is again positioned at the face ofthe member -24 its convex side will beoutward andy it escapes through Vthespacebetween the member-24 and part 42. f

In the formv shownrwhen the capsescape from the `member 24 as describedthey fall upon a second annular Vmember 46 arranged to coperate with a rotatable member 25V similar in form to thefmember 24 and insubtherewith. 1A suitable guide 47 isrigidly attached to the member 46 vand extends downward into close proximity to the table 26`for controlling the position of the can caps upon the table. The guide 47 preferably com# prises aninclined portion 47 at theopening. 46 (see Fig. 3) so that each can cap passing j through the opening will slide down the .in-

clined surface 47 onto the table 26 arriving upon the table with its concave side-down,-

Ibetween the annularvwallslo'f the guide 47- vand pass around the tableto the discharge endgof the guide; if however the space be l ycans 7 0 on its upper surface. [downwardly projecting vpairs of lugs o r kalso provided for theshaft`52uponl the guide is encountered by the can cap which forces thecap outward toward thepe'riphery of the tableinto position-to enter thefspace tween the walls of the, guide 47 is already" filled each succeeding cap upon encountering Y. the cap at 4the entrance of this portion ofthe f1 guide .will be merely forced over the edge of the table lasshown in `F ig. 3. y Y v Anysuitablemeans may be provided to successively place can caps in position upon the cans. As shown a s ubstantiallyhorizontal conveyer is-provided for moving the cans in a predetermined path adjacent the. above described portions of my v,device comprising a Yflexible band or belt adapted to receive the A plurality of teeth 61 arerigidly secured toV the underside of theband along each-side of its center and i uniformlytspaced from each, other. V"A "bolty orpiny 62 Aextends between the lugs of each pair adapted to coperatewith the'teeth of a sprocket wheel 55 or other suitable vmeans arranged to engage the pins 62rk and insure the accurate 4cordination of .movement between the band and the sprocket wheel. The

wheel 55 is mounted on a suitable horizontal shaft 52 Awhich is in :turnrotatably mounted in abearing58`rigidlyattached to one of the channel ,bars 63 which serve yas guides and s 100 supports for kthe band 60.k A-.bearing l'is bracket 20 rigidly mountedupon thefposts2l of the frame .of fmy device ythus 'connecting the adjacent ends ofthe shafts 17 and l52 and insuring properl coperation between the bevel gears and 541/mountedupon their respectiveen'ds` for-rotatively Vconnecting lj` shafts together;

means are provided for accurately locating- In v theV4 preferred `construction suitable i."

vill() i i the cans 70 upon the band`60. As shown a pair of lugs or projections 6464 are provided at regular intervals uponlfthe upper surface of the band at each side of its center line so Varranged asto engage thev circular vbottom ofthe can and accurately locate the same both longitudinally and transversely ofthe band. In. the preferred construction also a pair of upwardly proj ecting brackets i66'and 67 are rigidly secured tothe channelbars 63-63 adjacent the mainframe ofy my device Jand apairfof guide plates 68 and 69 are rigidly Vsecured tof-the brackets 66 and j 67 substantially parallelr to the upper surface of the respective channel bars and just at the upper surfaceoftheband A60. The

adjacent edges of the plates'vare substantially-parallel to each other and Vsuitably vspaced to. permit the cans toy pass between them while accuratelyk controlling their flat? isty eral position. A. pair of bars 71and 72 are also rigidly secured to the upper portion of the brackets 66 and 67 also substantially parallel to each other and to the band 60. pair of shafts 7 3 and 7 4f are rotatably mount; ed in suitable bearings upon the bars 71 and 72 and sprocket wheels 75 and 76 are mounted upon the shafts 73gand 74 respectively; the several parts being so positioned and arranged that the free ends of the projecting 4fingers 77 upon theV sprocket chain 78 which 1s mounted upon the wheels 75 and 76 will just clear thenpper endsof the cans positioned on the band 60. Y A plate 79 is also rigidly attached to the bars 71 and 72 with its upper surface substantially in the plane of the plate 27 and extends above the upper ends ofthe cans 70.` `The discharge end of the guide 47 extendslalong the plate 7 9 and terminates in a portion 80 between the bars 71 and 72 extending rlongitudinally of and parallel with the band 60. A slot S1 is provided through the plate 79 to permit the lingers 77 to project therethrough so that can caps passing along the guide47 will successivelyjarrive in the part 80 where they will be engaged by the lingers- 77 and ejected therefrom and placedin the desired position upon the tops of the passing cans upon the band 60.' f j- Any suitable means.` may be providedto operate theA several portions *ofmy device to synchronously perform their respective functions. l wheel 56 isrigidly secured to the shaft 52 and connected by. a sprocket chain 82` to a sprocket wheel83 upon the lshaft 31 thence the chain 82 extends toi-and engages the sprocket 15 upon the shaft 12v after which it passes below the sprocketV wheel 83 uponthe shaft 73 thence over an idler 811 rotatably mounted upon a stud 85 upon the'rframe of my device and thence downward to the wheel 56 so that a movement' of `the band 60 will produce a correspondingmovement'of the several portions Vof my machine. l The sprocket chain 78 is so timed and the fingers 77 so positioned that as each can 70 passes beneaththe part 80 of the guide 17 a finger 77 will move along the slot S1 in the proper relation to the can to place a can cap positioned in the guide in any desired position upon the can when thecan and `can cap arrive at the end of the guide. *j

In the preferred construction suitable means are provided to prevent the discharge of a can cap into the portion 80 of the guide when no can is positioned upon the band 60 to receive it. As shown an arm 86 is pivotally mounted upon the plate 79 as at 87 Aand'extends downward to a point near the band 60'where a plate 88 isprovided to normally project beyond the plate 69 so that as each 4can. enters the space between the plates 68 and 69 it willengage the platev 88 `into the "portion 80 until another can In the forni shown a sprocket near the fslot Slfand adapted to-engage a can cap at 'the point `where it enters the `part 80 and .arrest its'v forward movement;

when however the lowe-rlend of the arm 86 `is moved outward as above described by a can upon the band 60 the free end ofthe finger 89'isdepressed'below theupper surface ofthe plate 7 9 permitting the can cap to escape into the path of thengersf 77. The several parts are so proportioned and arranged that before the can'caplast enter- `ing theportion'SO .of the guideis removed from its initialposition'the can to which'it belongs will have passed the plate 88 thus permittingfthe arm 86 and finger`89 to re turnto their normal positions and prevent theV nextsucceeding can `cap from passing upon the band60 engages theplate'SS. I j :lnthe form shown in'Figs. 16 to 19 the container `90 is provided with an inclined bottom 91 adapted to 4automatically 'dis-` charge thev `can* "caps from theY container through the inlet 'openingf92'into thereceptacle 93 the valve 94 islrigidly secured tothe shaft 95 and extends vacross rthe spout between theoutlet openingand the receptacle 93. yAnarn1'f96is rigidly secured to the Ashaft 95andI connected by a rod `to an arm 98 vupon a sha-ft 99. A' weight 101 is provided upon a projecting finger 102 upon the 'valve'94f to' normallyrhold the valve in closed position.A `A curved plate is positioned in the receptacle 93'and rigidly attached at its `upper end to a" shaft `103 rotatably mounted uponthe side walls of the freceptacle. An arm '104' is alsorigidly attached to the shaft`1`03and connected by a spring 105 to a lever' 106 loosely mounted upo'nfthe shaft 103 and having fa part 107 connecting across the Aface of my device adapted to coperate'with 'alug 1-08 upon a rotatingk portion ofy myjdevice tov periodically raise the free-endof the arm 106 and thereby resiliently draw the-plate 100 to the limit of vits movement into the receptacle. The rear wall 109^of the receptacle 93 is preferably inclined substantially as Vshownr and provided with an opening 110 (see Fig.

and a chute 120 extends fromthe open- -1ng`110 downwardto a rotatable platform 111. "A rotatable disk 112 is alsopositioned in thereceptacle 93 with one flat side normally in 'contact with the wall 109. The disk is preferably provided with a plurality of apertures 1111 in its periphery (see Fig. 18) each adapted to periodically register -with the opening 110when the disk is rotated. j j p The'walls of the several aportureslll are preferably sov formed that they will each receivea 'single can cap yand retain the same kin position' if the can cap is positioned With its'concave face adjacent the wall 109 but in ease' the convex side of the can cap is adjacent the Wall 109 the disk VwillV merely slip behind lthe can cap Without materially elevating the samealso when a plurality of nested caps Vare positioned in an aperture `with their concave side adjacent ythe Wall 109 theyvvill be engaged and slightly elevated by the face 116 of the'projections 115 but as soon as the face 116 isinclined sufiiciently from the peripheral Wall ofthe receptacle, that is-shortly after it'pa'sses the horizontal center line of the disk the caps Will roll off the `face and' fall back uponA the caps in the receptacleV the impact of the fall tending to break the nested caps apart.

Obviously each can-cap retainedv in an aperture will be Vcarried bythe disk 112 until the.' aperture registers with the open1 ing 110 when the cap slips through into the lchute 120' and slidesdown the Wall; of `the chute onto the platform 111 Where it is positioned'vvith its concave side downward.

ySuitable means are provided for rotating the disk 112 and supporting the same in position;

123 upon the frame of my device'and the Wall 109 respectively,` andthe dislr112l isk rigidly secured'to the 'end of the shaft121.

A gear, 121 is alsofrigidly secured vtofthe shaft 121 and'coperates with aV gear 126 upon the upright shaft 125 uponwhich' the platform 111 ismounted The shaft 125 is K thrust bearing'129 for vsupporting theshaftl and lplatform'111.. `A--second gear 131 is ,137. of channel bars 1378 and^139- aref mountedin rigidly secured to th'elo'vver end ofthe shaft 125 andcoperatesivithfa'gear 132 upon a horizontal shaft 130also mounted-1 in suit-v able bearings'133 an'd''ltuponthe frame ofniydevice. y

A sprocket Wheel 13:5 is 'rigidly securedU to the shaft 130 and coperates Withsuitably formed engagingmember's 136Vu'pon the bottom side of'afflex'ible band orbelt a Asubstantiallyhorizontal position jand rig-` idly secured totheframefo'f my machine in position to support'the band 137 on'their upper faces;y A' pair'of'plates 141 and 142 are rigidly attached to Asuitable portions ofV the frame vvorkof my deviceslightly above v and substantially parallel to thev -bandf 137 andv adapted to engage the sidesV of the cans v 1L10 positioned upon the'ba-nd 137 'and'ac-y curately controlling their lateral position upon the band 137 as well as insuring their Contact with the lugs or projections" 1441" kuponthe-upper surface ofthe band thus As shown afshaft' 121 is rota"` tably mounted in suitable bearings 122 andkk In the preferred construction a` pair v Y 1 operate as a cam .to swing the free end of thel accurately controlling the position of` the can both longitudinally andv transversely upon the band. i In the preferred construction' a stationary table 1415 extends from the'platform 1.11 rto a pointslightly beyond .the center line of the cans upon the band With a part 146 eX- Y tending substantially parallel with the center fline of the bandanda stationary guide 147 l extends from the chute 1-20around the platform 111 and along the table 145 and shaft 148vvith agear 151v rigidly attached to the hub thereof `fand meshing With a lgear 152 upon'V the shaft 121 to rotate the sheavev andra pair of annular bands'153 and 1511 are provided at the face ofthevsheave 150 provided vvith a plurality of radialalined openings. A plurality of longitudinally movable v pins or bars lare 4positioned in said open- Y ings each having `a pairof collars 156 and V157 rigidly secured thereto.- The lcollars 156 are VpositionedV to engage` the Vband 154:4 to Y limit the outward movement ofV the pins vvhilethe collars 157 are arranged to limit the inward movement of the' bands and also to cooperate With meansfor raising the pins and preventing their engagement With acan cap upon the' table 14:6 i when' no can is vpositioned upon theb'and 137 toreceive the' cap; '-Forthispurpose anV arm 158 is pivotally mounted vupon the frame of my device as lat V 159 and'` provided vvitha transverse blade 160 adapted to normally proj ectin the path ofthe collars 157' and operate as a cam to lraise each pin as thecollar'positioned thereon engagesthe blade 160 thus preventingj th'epins kfrom engaging thecaps upon l the tableylplga plate 161 is also? rigidly {at-` tached tothe arm 158 inYposition-to engage thelovver portion of each can 110 as it enters.

the space between the bars llllfand 142and` i arm-outward thus moving the blade 160 out f I ofthe path of the collars 157-`and permitting them to successively engag'ethe caps upon the table 14:6 and sweepthem over theend 4ofthe table onv tothe openiend of the can.

VThe several'parts areso positioned and ar` ranged that the pins 155 Will :successively push the caps one byo'ne fromA the gend of]` the table at the momentv that'cans `onjthe band 137;reach a `position toireeeive. the caps.'

In the forml shovvn the lug 108 is formed arm 106 is raised tendingto move the plate 100 inward toward the Wall 109. So long as a sufficient quantity of the can caps are in the receptacle, the plate 100 will be held away from the disk 112 in the receptacle 93 when hoivever the caps in the receptacle become exhausted the plate will enter into the receptacle suiiiciently to cause the arm 162 to move the arm 164 to which it is connected by the rod 163 toward the gear 151 until the pin 165 on the gear kengages the lower end ofthe arm 164 thus rocking the shaft 99 and thereby moving the arm 98, rod 97 and arm 96 to open Vthe valve 94 and permit a fresh supply of can caps to enter the receptacle.

While in the foregoing specification 1 have described my device in connection with mechanism, especiallyy adapted for placing circular caps on cylindrical cans 1t is obvious that substantially the same mecha-- nisin may be employed for feeding various parts to beiautomatically assembled such as can or boX covers to the body portion, or for cookies or candies to be assembled with other articles, the changes necessary for each speciiicarticle being obvious from the form, size and nature of the. object.l

Having thus described my improvement, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in my device Without departing from the spirit of my invention,

hence, I do not Wish to be undcrstoodas limiting myself to the exact form or construction shoiyn.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a disk feeding machine of the kind described, a container adapted to receive aA plurality of similar articles and having a discharge ogening` at its bottom and a Vreceptacle arranged to receive said articles escaping through said opening, incoinbina-r tion ivith a valve for controlling said opening and means for controlling the operation of said valve bythe amount of said receptacle arranged to Areceive the articles,4

escaping` through said openingin combination with a valve for controlling said opening and meansfor controlling the operation of said valve by the numberiof said articles in saidreceptacle, comprising a member ,operativelyconnectedf With the valve, means for positively actuating said` member to operate the valve and means inthe receptacle for moving said member into operative relation With said actuating means upon the partial emptying of the receptacle.

8. In a disk feeding device of the kind said opening and automatically operabley means forcontrolling tlie operation of said valve by the number of said articles in said' receptacle, whereby a plurality of articles are at'all times contained in the receptacle.

Il. In 'a disk feeding device 'of the kind described, a container adapted to receive a plurality of similar articles and having a discharge opening at itslbottom .and a re-` ceptacle having an inclined Wall arranged to receiveisaid articles'escaping through said opening, incombination with a valve lfor controlling said opening and means coper-y `l ating With said inclined Wall for controlling tlie yoperation of said valve by the amount of said articlesin said receptacle, including a movable member ysubstantially, constituting a Wall of the receptacle; and coperating mechanism connected With the valve 5. In Va device `of the kind described, a i containeradapted to receive a plurality of similar articles and having a discharge open'- ing at its bottom,a receptacle arranged to receive said articles escaping through saidopening, anda movable member extending into said receptacle lforcregularlyl removing said articlesfrom said receptacle,`in coin-` bination with a valve vfor controlling said opening and means-for controlling the oper`A ation of said valve by the numberof said articles in said receptacle.

c. in a device 0f the kind descfiba, a een. tainer adapted to receive a plurality of similar articlesfandhaving a discharge opening l at itsibottom, a receptacle arranged to receive; saidarticles escaping through `said y opening, Aand a l rotatable member having a lplurality of apertures at `its periphery .exf tending into said receptacle for regularly removing said articles fromysaid receptacla vin combination with a valvefor controlling said opening and means for controlling the operation of said valve bythe said articles insaidrecqotacle.

described, a container adapted to receive a 7. Ina diskv feeding device ofthe amount of v said receptacle, in combinationfivith avalveV for controlling; saidfopening, a movable part vling said .openingv and means iorcontrolling-- the .operation of said valveby the amount of said articles in? said receptacle, comprisl ing a member operatively Vconnected vvvith the valve, means for positively"actiiating'saidf member, and means inthe receptacle fer moving' said member i into. operativ/*e relation with lthe said' actuating, means.

8.k In a disk eedingdevice of therkiiid` described, arcontainer adapted to receivea plurality of similar p articlesyiandjhaving a dischargewopening at its bottom" and ay receptaclefarraiiged toreceive saidgarticlesescapingitlirough ksaid f opening, ing. combina i tioii Withja valve kfor ycontrolling saidopeiringr, a movable 'part-for actuating said valve and` means for controlling the operation of lsaid lvalve by Athe number offpsaid yarticles iny said"v receptacle, comprising a member 1 op-l` erativelyconnectedv'kvvith Y the valve,- means vfor positivelyy actuating saidmember to operate the valve and means in the receptacle 'for moving' vsaidV memberk into: operative relation withl said"l actuating means lupon the partial emptying ofthe receptacle. s

9. In a devicelof tli'ekin'd described, a container having a discharge opening at Vits bot tom, a receptacle arranged to receive material escaping I through said opening, and means for regularly removing' material from connected to said material-removing; means for actuating said valve and means for 'con`V trolling-the operatioii'offsaid valve by the amount ofzmaterial in said receptacle.l

-lOplna ydisk 4feeding' device ofthe kind described, a'container adapted toireceive plurality oi" similar articles and having a. f dischargeopening in its bottom, and a receptacle arranged to receive'fsaid larticles escaping` through said openinagjin combination with a valve for controllinr` said opening'- and means'extendingfinto said receptacle for controlling'the operation of said valve by the amount of said articlesin said receptaclesand .actuating means coperatingj with said last mentioned means for positively erating the valve. f

'11. ln a`- devicelo the `kind described, ya container adapted to receive a plurality' of similar articles and having a discharge opening' at its bottom, a receptacle having an "inclined ivall arranged to receive said articles escaping through said opening, and means for regularly removing said articles from said receptacle, in combination with a valve for controlling said opening andmeans coperating with said inclined Wall for con-- trolling the operation of saidlvalve by the numberof said karticles iii said receptacle.

l2. ln a device of the kind described, av container'adaptedto receive a plurality ofj similar articles and having a discharge onen-- ing at its bottom, a receptacle arranged to ing'I at its bottom,

openingcand means:'izorrregularly removing? saidl articles from said receptacle, in com receive said articles esctnain-gv 'through "said:

binatioii- WithaV pivotally-zmounted valve orl controllingsaid openingand means for controllingthe operationfoiE said valveby the number osaid articles yiii said receptacle.

l, 1S. Vln a' device 'of the kind described,y a, container :haviiiga discharge opening at its bottom, a receptacle arranged to receiveima- .teriali escaping1 through said opening, anda rotatableineinber having` `a plurality ciapertuires aty itsyperiphery vextendingv into 'said` receptacle I' for Vregularly removing material fromfsaid; receptacle, iiifcombiiiation with ag; valve',forcontrolling said opening, a movey ablepart connected to said material-remove means for controlling the operation of said receptacle; LA` K ff y lei-.- In a. -device=-.of the lkind described', La,

ing means for actuating said valveandf containeradapted toreceive a plurality'.,of` i similar `articles and having a. discharge open f a receptacle arranged lto receive saidarticlesescaping through said opening', and meansfor-` regularly removing the'articles from said receptacle, in combination"v with a pivotally-mounted kvalve for controlling` said opening, a movable part "for actuating said valve and means iorzcontrolling the operation ot' said valve by the niin'ily ber osai'd articlesin said receptacle. :1155111 ai device ofthe kind described,l a;

Vcontainer adapted to receive a plurality of s similar articles and having a discharge onen-` Y ing'l at its'bottom, a receptacle arranged to receive said ,articles escaping` through said opening, and means for regularlyremovinii Y y e said articles' `from `said receptacle,l in ,cont bination with: a pivotally mounted valvei'or controlling` saidfopening, a movable part or actuatingvsaidvalve andv means eXtendin into sa lk receptacle for controllingrthe operation of said valvebythe amount ot said p articles inisaidreceptacle, Y 'i y I6.r ln al device of the'kind described, a

conta-i erlia'ving fa discharge opening at itsl l"areceptacle arranged to 'receive maf.y

terial escapingthrough said opening,"a rota# table member having a plurality of apertures `at its periphery extending into said, recep-HV 'ing at its bottom, mechanism at said rbottom f Jfor regulating the discharge of said articles iio valve by the' amount lof material iiijsaid` 851,` if" through said opening, a receptacle arranged to receive said articles escaping through said openingv` and meansfor regularly removing said articles fiom said receptacle, in combination with a valve for controlling said opening and means for controlling the operation of said valve by the amount of saidarticles in said receptacle.

18. in a device of the kind described, a con-A tainer having a discharge opening at its -bottom, mechanism at said bottom for regulat` ing the discharge of material through said opening, a receptacle arranged to receive ma-` terial escaping through said opening and a' rotatable member havinga plurality of apertures at its periphery extending into said receptacle for regularly removing material from said receptacle, in combination With 'a pivotally mounted valve for controlling said opening, a movable part connected to Said material-removing means for actuating said valve and'means extendingl into said receptacle for controlling the operation of said valve by the amount of material in said re ceptacle.

19. A device of the kind described, comprising a conveyer adapted to move a. succession of similar articles in a fixed path, a feed channel arranged to direct disk shaped pieces to said conveyer near the upper sur-l face of said articles and regularly moving fingers each arranged to engage a piece When feed channel arranged'to direct disk-sliapedf pieces to said conveyer near the upper surface of said articles and means for moving said pieces along said' channel, means for engaging one of said 4pieces in saidl channel When an article passes said channel and placing said piece in positionon said article,

and means operated by p said articles While being moved by Vthe conveyer forcontrolling the feeding' ofv said` pieces to said engaging means, in combination With a feed box adapt.

ed to deliver said pieces one by one to saidchannel and l*means for discharging `,said pieces into said feed box. i y f 2l. il device of the kind described, com-` prising a conveyer adapted to'move a succession of similar articles a fixed path, a feed channel to ldirect pieces havinga'conveX side to said conveyer near the upper end of saidarticles and means comprising a con# tinuously moving bottom section formoving a said pieces along saidchannel, moving fingers each arranged to engageV al'piecev When an article passes said channel and placingsaidrpiece in position on said.articlefandmeans operated by said articles `While being moved by the conveyer for controlling the4 feeding of `said pieces 'to said engaging meansin combination with a-feed-boX adapt# ed to 'deliver said pieces z-to said channel one' by one with their convex sidenpivard and means for discharging said pieces into y saidI feed. boX.` y

22. A device kof prising aI conveyer Aadapted to move a` succession of similar articles in afixed path, and

a feed channelarrariged to direct pieces hav-'f ing a convex side to said conveyer near the:

vthe kind described, com# upper end of said articles, means for moving saidpieces along saidchannel and meansfor engaging a piece When an article passes said channel and placing said piece in posi tion on said article, and means operated by said articles While being moved by the c0nveyer for controlling the feeding of said pieces to said engagingmeans, in combina-J tion ivitha feed box` adapted tovdeliver said pieces to said channel one by one leach With its convex side upv-Jard and "meansV for dis-V charging said pieces into said feed boX.

ln testimony whereof Iv have hereunto] .signed my name ini the presence `of two subscribing Witnesses` Y 1 CHARLES HLBIRCH.

Vitnesseszf' f f BURTON U. HILLS, BLANCHE CHALMERS. 

